Toronto Lodging Alternatives and Resources

Apartment Rentals

If you want a home base that's roomy enough for a family and comes with cooking facilities, consider a furnished rental. Home-exchange directories sometimes list rentals as well as exchanges.

Hideaways International. A four-month membership is US$49. 603/430-4433. www.hideaways.com.

Local Agents

Apartments International Inc.. Provides upper-end furnished apartments for executives visiting for a month or more. 416/410–2400 or 888/410–2400. www.apts-intl.com.

Bed-and-Breakfasts

Au Petit Paris. A great alternative to big chain hotels in this area, this B&B is southeast of Yorkville, west of the Church Wellesley district, and north of the Dundas Square neighborhood. Vegetarian breakfasts, served on the rooftop (weather permitting) are memorable. 3 Selby St., Church–Wellesley, Toronto, ON. 416/928–1348. www.bbtoronto.com/aupetitparis.

By the Park B&B. This B&B is the brainchildren of a couple who happen to be alumni of the Ontario College of Art and Design; their attention to design is evident. They also have short-term apartment rentals in three different locations, which garner rave reviews. 92 & 89 Indian Grove., at Bloor St. W, Greater Toronto, Toronto, ON, M6R 2Y4. 416/761–9778 or 416/520–6102. www.bythepark.ca.

The Downtown Toronto Association of Bed & Breakfast Guest Houses. This organization represents privately owned B&Bs. 416/410–3938. www.bnbinfo.com.

Islington Bed & Breakfast House. At this good-value B&B, paintings and tapestries reflect the local landscape. 1411 Islington Ave., Greater Toronto, Toronto, ON, M9A 3K5. 416/236–2707. www.islingtonhouse.com.

Les Amis. The charming Parisian host Paul-Antoine fills Les Amis with beautiful photos of his travels through South America and Africa and the tantalizing aromas of his legendary fruit crepes and Belgian-style waffles. 31 Granby St., at Yonge St., Dundas Square Area, Toronto, ON, M5B 1H8. 416/928–1348. www.bbtoronto.com.

Toronto Bed & Breakfast. A free registry, this organization lists more than a dozen private homes, all in and around downtown Toronto. 705/738–9449 or 877/922–6522. www.torontobandb.com.

Hostels

With some 4,000 locations in more than 90 countries, Hostelling International (HI), the umbrella group for a number of national youth-hostel associations, has single-sex, dorm-style beds and, at many hostels, including those in Toronto, rooms for couples and accommodations for families. Membership in any HI national hostel association, open to travelers of all ages, allows you to stay in HI-affiliated hostels at member rates; one-year membership is C$28 for adults (C$35 for a two-year membership in Canada); hostels charge about C$15 to C$35 per night.

Organizations

Hostelling International—USA (8401 Colesville Rd., Ste. 600, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. 240/650–2100. www.hiusa.org.)